And We Thought Aluminum was Bad...

And We Thought Aluminum was Bad...

Can your deodorant really cause cancer? New research says the answer is yes. CNN recently announced a recall of several major deodorant brands, including Old Spice and Secret, that were found to have benzene in their spray deodorant products. According to the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, “Benzene is a well-established cause of cancer in humans.”
December 29, 2021 — Melanie Allen
Breaking up with Body Odor for Good

Breaking up with Body Odor for Good

My mom took me to the pediatrician at seven years old because I had body odor. She was convinced something was wrong with me. Perhaps I was suffering from Trimethylaminuria (fish odor disease), or starting puberty very early. The doctor, who always handled my mother’s anxiety and late night phone calls with grace and gentleness, assured her that I just needed to scrub better under my pits because I was a bit smellier than the other kids. 

 

 

Obviously, the problem got worse once I hit puberty. No kid’s body odor situation deescalates from seven to thirteen. Plus, living in Central Florida isn’t exactly conducive to not sweating. The only time I got a break was one week in January when temperatures dipped below seventy degrees. So, instead of stuffing my bra, I stuffed my armpits with folded up paper towels to create a buffer between them and my light yellow uniform shirt. 


Middle school was hard enough, especially when you’re two heads taller than all the boys - and most of the girls. I had to get pit stains out of the mix if I was to survive. Eventually, the doctor put me on a prescription deodorant, of which 20% was aluminum. It was the early aughts-- tanning beds, Furbies, and Limewire were popular. No one knew any better.  

 

 

Fast forward to adulthood. My braces and nail biting habit were gone, but my body odor was here to stay. My friends (God bless them for their honesty) never failed to let me know that I needed a little refresh. I stashed deodorant sticks in every bag and would frequently visit the bathroom for a little bird bath when on a date. I could not get away with a natural deodorant product, despite my best efforts. 


I needed the chemicals and I needed them badly. Moving into a van didn’t help the issue. Roaming around solo for a year with no running water got me super comfortable with my body odor, but I can’t speak to how the gas station attendants, campground hosts, and unassuming baristas felt. I tried several popular natural brands, lemon wedges smuggled away from the bar caddy, and face toner. Nothing worked. At least I was never truly alone, with my armpit bacteria along for the ride. 

 


Like all of the best things, Pit LIquor came into my life unexpectedly. And honestly, I didn’t believe it would work for me. I mean, alcohol and some essential oils? Couldn’t I just concoct this by myself with a bottle of rubbing alcohol from the drugstore for $0.99 cents? Nevertheless, I tried a few sprays of my boyfriend’s Whiskey Vanilla. It killed my odor instantly, which was a pleasant surprise. But I wasn’t sold. 


I continued to use it over the next few days but returned to my regular travel size powder fresh (yuck, I know, but powder fresh was the only thing that smothered my typical lox-bagel-extra-red-onion scent). Like earworms and chia seeds, something about Pit Liquor was sticking with me. 


Then my deodorant spirit guides stepped in to facilitate a slow stroll past a shelf of Pit Liquor at the local market. Compared to my $2.99 travel size conventional stick, it was certainly a splurge. However, my pits had been drinking aluminum for the past seventeen years and I wasn’t a stranger to splurging on fun items that caught my eye - 4th of July costumes, a surfboard I’ve used once, etc. After a first, second, and maybe third thought, I grabbed the Coconut Lime variety and plopped it into my basket.


To say I’ve never looked back wouldn’t be entirely true. I forgot it last time I traveled and used a conventional roll on in a pinch. But 99% of the time, the pretty glass bottle comes along. I’m still genuinely surprised that it works so well, doesn’t make me smell like booze, and doesn’t stain my shirts. On particularly sweaty days, I’ll need a refresh toward the afternoon. But other than that, my pits are just good to go. I get to let my body sweat, like nature intended. I get to put healthy, effective ingredients on my body and rest assured they are doing no harm. I get to smell like real lavender, real oranges, or real vanilla. But most importantly, I get to do the wave at large events without assaulting neighboring nostrils. It really was that simple all along.  


But hey, Pit Liquor is all about transparency so I want you to know that I write for this company. You’ll see my name on some other blog posts, although none as personal as this. However, I started writing for them because I love their products so much. If I can shepherd others down the path to healthy, odor-free armpits, confidence in their bodies, and pride in the way they show up in the world, then hell yes—my English Lit degree wasn’t a waste afterall! I’m changing the world, Mom, one pair of pits at a time.

September 07, 2021 — Abigail Scott
Your Effortless Underarm Skincare Guide

Your Effortless Underarm Skincare Guide

When did armpits become a go-to descriptor for some of the worst places in the world? New Jersey, Florida, even Battle Mountain, Nevada have all been referred to as “the armpit” to denote some intangible terrible-ness that wafts off them. 


We’re looking to upend that narrative - for New Jersey and armpits alike. It’s time we celebrate our pits for all the marvelous things they do. Use this underarm skincare guide to treat your pits to some pampering. 

1. Suds up

Every now and then, treat your pits to a proper sudsing, for you and for the people closest to you. A natural soap eliminates bacteria and the dirt, grime, and savory sweat they feed on. You don’t need to scrub the skin off - a gentle lather will do just fine.

2. Exfoliate your way to silky smooth pits

Just like your face, knees, elbows, and feet, your armpits can use a little exfoliation from time to time. Product, sweat, and dirt can build up here - clogging pores and leaving you with painful ingrown hairs. Since your underarms don’t often see the light of day, the skin underneath is sensitive. Exfoliating with a gentle cleanser (like one made for your face) works wonders in unclogging pores and removing built up dirt and grime.

3. Moisturize, maybe 

We’re not going to suggest you overhaul your entire evening skincare routine with our underarm skincare guide. Pits are obviously our top priority and while we like to sing them sweet lullabies before bed, we understand that you may not. Those with particularly sensitive skin can consider moisturizing their pits after shaving or in dry, cold weather. Armpits are more sensitive than we ever give them credit for and we even tend to beat up on them, poor little guys. Use an unscented lotion and apply it post shower, every week or so. If you're prone to razor burn or breakouts, stick with a moisturizing toner that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. 

4. Detoxing is less complicated than you think

Ditch the charcoal detox paste that stains your entire bathroom counter if you even look at it the wrong way. Your armpits are well-oiled machines that actually do the detoxing for you. If you’ve been using aluminum deodorant, making the switch to natural can take a few weeks. Your pits will breathe a huge sigh of relief at not being poisoned anymore and will revel in the glory of being their true, sweaty selves. It’s 2022 after all, don’t we just want to be the people that mother nature made us to be? Ok, ok, we’re getting off the soapbox. For detailed information about detoxing your armpits and what to expect, check out this guide.

5. Pit Liquor to the rescue

Choosing the right deodorant that doesn’t dry out or irritate pits is key to taking care of your underarms. You don’t want to sabotage all the hard work you’ve put in caring for your pits by slapping some chemicals and irritants back on. Pit Liquor is here to help. Our organic formulations are free from irritants (we’re looking at you, baking soda), aluminum, and other toxic chemical agents, like formaldehyde and antifreeze. 


No wonder your armpits need some TLC. They’re basically living in an episode of Snapped day in and day out. With Pit Liquor, they will relax and do their thing, releasing sweat without the smell. Denatured alcohol kills the bacteria while teas and arrowroot powder create an inhospitable environment that discourages bacteria. Essential oils leave a gentle, natural aroma for you to bask in all damn day. Some people have even reported that Pit Liquor helps clear up eczema. Pit Liquor can be your hero.


Go ahead, treat yourself.
August 14, 2021 — Abigail Scott
Why Sweating Is Good For You

Why Sweating Is Good For You

Ever wonder why our bodies sweat? Or maybe you wish you could skip sweat all together and just live a stink-free existence. Fun fact – sweating and stink aren’t the same thing. Sweating means your body is healthy, functioning, and thriving.Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits of sweating.

July 04, 2021 — Abigail Scott
5 Toxins Lurking In Your Body Products

5 Toxins Lurking In Your Body Products

Come along for a fun "info binge" as we get nerdy about deodorant. Do you know what's in yours?
April 16, 2021 — Laycie McClain
You and Queen E: The DL on Toxic Daily-Use Products

You and Queen E: The DL on Toxic Daily-Use Products

Queen Elizabeth 1 and her beauty regimen have a lot to teach us about knowing the ingredients of your daily routine. Do you know what's in the products you use every day?
March 19, 2021 — Laycie McClain

The Truth About Armpit Detox

Some people claim that you have to detox your pits before a new natural deodorant really works. Is that true?

May 07, 2019 — Jason and Erica Feucht